America has a literacy problem.

Thirty-two million (1 in 6) of American adults cannot read above a 7th grade level, according to the U.S. Department of Education and 2013 PIACC* report.

The cost?

The Institute for the Study of Adult Illiteracy states adults with low literacy skills costs society an estimated $240 billion each year in lost industrial productivity, unrealized tax revenues, welfare, crime, poverty and related social ills.

That’s why Literacyworks started the READ OUT CHALLENGE to support Family & Adult Literacy campaign. We’re reading out to inspire everyone to read. Make a video of yourself reading something – your favorite book, poem, lyric, a menu, anything with words – to someone you care about and challenge them to do the in support of family literacy.

Reading is an accrued skill. The more you read, the better you get at it.

1 in 4 children in America grows up without learning how to read.

— The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Everyone benefits from an educated society. Students who read the most, read the best, achieve the most, and stay in school the longest. Reading to children improves children's language skills and heighten their interest in books. The more frequently a parent reads to their children, the more likely the children are to show three or more skills associated with emerging literacy. And books at home are one of the top indicators ensuring a literate family.

If we do nothing, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said, “...no matter how hard they work, these adults will be stuck, unable to support their families and contribute fully to our country.”

The good news?

There are measurable benefits to being a proficient reader. They include: economic security, better access to health care, and the ability to actively participate in civic life.

Sponsored by Scholastic - READ OUT was created to inspire everyone to read. Make a video of yourself reading something – your favorite book, poem, lyric, a menu, anything with words – to someone you care about and challenge them to do the same and make a donation to Literacyworks in support of family literacy. Use the hashtag #ReadOut to upload your video to YouTube with, or stream something with Periscope and let us know via email at readout@literacyworks.org, Tweet us at @Litworksorg or like us on Facebook.

The READ OUT campaign will help support family and adult literacy programs in our libraries and in our communities to increase the number of families and adults they can serve. It will also help the Literacyworks Center provide learners long- term educational counseling and performance based scholarships to break persistent barriers such as transportation, childcare, and tuitions.

]]>#ReadOut Campaign for Family and Adult LiteracyLiterate for Life Indiegogo Campaign a Success!Literacyworks CenterMartin FerriniMon, 09 Feb 2015 19:03:59 +0000http://www.literacyworkscenter.org/news/2014/12/1/indiegogo-goal-reached529bcb8ae4b0e021fe8b58ef:529bd046e4b0701e5f3f7d4f:54d8f19de4b07035ed4d18fdWe're thrilled to announce that we met our Indiegogo Goal of raising $25k
and we're so incredibly thankful to everyone who participated!We're thrilled to announce that we met our Indiegogo Goal of raising $25k and we're so incredibly thankful to everyone who participated!

Literate for Life Indiegogo Campaign a Success!Literate for Life: The Literacyworks CenterNewsPaul HeavenridgeFri, 03 Oct 2014 17:18:36 +0000http://www.literacyworks.org/news/2014/10/1/literate-for-life-the-literacyworks-center529bcb8ae4b0e021fe8b58ef:529bd046e4b0701e5f3f7d4f:542c8aeae4b0593bfd9e3436Literacyworks is rallying to raise $25,000 in finishing funds by October
31, 2014 to secure $200,000 that will directly support scholarships for
adult learners in our Literacyworks Center. The Center will serve as a
model for the nation.Literacyworks is rallying to raise $25,000 in finishing funds by October 31, 2014 to secure $200,000 that will directly support scholarships for adult learners in our Literacyworks Center. The Center will serve as a model for the nation.

25% of Californians have very low literacy skills, and nearly one in five have not earned a high school diploma or its equivalent such as a GED. 

— U.S. Education Department's National Center for Education Statistics

Literacyworks invests deeply in highly motivated adult learners by strengthening and coordinating existing resources and supporting adult learners to chart a course towards a more prosperous future. We understand that a sense of belonging and community, clarity of purpose, competence and stability are key to their success.

The Center will partner with learners to achieve their goals by providing face-to-face and digitally enabled personalized support, long-term educational counseling and performance based scholarships to break persistence barriers such as transportation, childcare, and tuition.

We've just launched our Indiegogo Campaign for the Literacyworks Center! Help us raise $25K and we'll secure $200k in scholarships for adult learners Please join us in making a difference today. Go to the campaign here, and share the link with your friends and community!

]]>Literate for Life: The Literacyworks CenterTime to Reskill Event a SuccessNewsEventsPaul HeavenridgeMon, 10 Mar 2014 21:59:02 +0000http://www.literacyworks.org/news/2014/3/10/time-to-reskill-event-a-success529bcb8ae4b0e021fe8b58ef:529bd046e4b0701e5f3f7d4f:531e06f0e4b0a6495db62f8fWe are pleased to report that our Time to Reskill event in collaboration with Santa Rosa Junior College was a resounding success. Stakeholders from industry, education, government, and the non-profit world convened for a welcome message from Jane Saldana-Talley, Vice President Petaluma Campus Santa Rosa Junior College, followed by a discussion on the need for services for individuals with low literacy by Frank Chong, President/Superintendent Santa Rosa Junior College. Dr. Chong's talk was followed by a prerecorded message to the group by Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, an overview of The Survey of Adult Skill by Paul Heavenridge, Executive Director Literacyworks/LINCS RPDC 4, and a call to action by Lynn Woolsey, Congresswoman.

After the presentations, attendees were divided into three facilitated groups to discuss individual experiences and ideas about the U.S.'s growing employability skills gap. Literacyworks has submitted these ideas to the U.S. Department of Education for the national action plan to improve the foundational skills of adults.

Special thanks to the SRJC Petaluma Campus staff for helping make this event a success.

SRJC Vice President Jane Saldana Talley speaks to the audience at the Literacyworks/SRJC event March 7th, 2014.

Paul Heavenridge

Executive Director of Literacyworks, Paul Heavenridge speaks to the audience at the Literacyworks/SRJC event March 7th, 2014.

Breakout Session 01

One of several breakout sessions after the discussion in the auditorium.

Breakout Session 02

Another of several breakout sessions after the discussion in the auditorium

Watch the video introduction by Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education.

]]>Time to Reskill Event a SuccessNew Year, New LookNewsPaul HeavenridgeWed, 01 Jan 2014 14:00:00 +0000http://www.literacyworks.org/news/our-new-website529bcb8ae4b0e021fe8b58ef:529bd046e4b0701e5f3f7d4f:529bd08ce4b0d8d4512db857We've put a fresh spin on literacyworks.org for 2014, including a refresh
of our logo. Stop by soon to check out the new look

We've put a fresh spin on literacyworks.org for 2014, including a refresh of our logo. Stop by soon to check out the new look, and watch out for new projects as we embark on this nascent year.

]]>New Year, New LookLiteracyworks and LINCSNewsPaul HeavenridgeThu, 03 Oct 2013 17:32:00 +0000http://www.literacyworks.org/news/2014/10/3/literacyworks-and-lincs529bcb8ae4b0e021fe8b58ef:529bd046e4b0701e5f3f7d4f:542eddb1e4b011db2d58dbb9Literacyworks administers the US Department of Education’s Regional
Professional Development Center Region 4 for the Literacy Information and
Communication Network System (LINCS).

Literacyworks administers the US Department of Education’s Regional Professional Development Center Region 4 for the Literacy Information and Communication Network System (LINCS).

Through LINCS we connect, train and provide educational resources for literacy programs in local libraries, adult education programs and other community and institutional settings throughout Alaska, Hawaii, and the western United States.